From the Mountaintop

Posted by Meyer L. Bodoff, CAP®
| January 12th 2016

The Dallas Jewish Community Foundation will be closed on Martin Luther King’s Birthday, this year remembered on January 18th. I must be honest and say I considered not closing our offices. Not because I didn’t want to honor his memory, but rather I didn’t want his birthday to be just another excuse to miss work. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy…Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” These words transcend the decades and are as relevant today as the day he spoke them. Our country is not perfect. We have not yet been to the mountain top. But we are getting closer.

The history between Dr. King and the Jewish community ran deep. We shared values and faith, along with histories of oppression and persecution. Yes, we shared the same hateful enemies, but we also shared in “the dream”. For the black community and the Jewish community we share the same hope of an America that treats all of its citizens with dignity and respect.

Historically, Jews were among the leaders in the struggle for civil rights. The NAACP was founded by Jews, Jewish attorneys helped to win the major civil rights legal battles, and Rabbis marched arm in arm with Dr. king. I’ll never forget an elderly Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel who was asked by a reporter what is was like to march with Dr. King. Rabbi Heschel replied “for the first time in my life I felt as if even my feet were praying”.

Dr. King was also a friend to the State of Israel. “Peace for Israel means security, and we must stand with all of our might to protect its right to exist, its territorial integrity. I see Israel, and never mind saying it, as one of the great outposts of democracy in the world, and a marvelous example of what can be done, how desert land almost can be transformed into an oasis of brotherhood and democracy. Peace for Israel means security and that security must be a reality.”

Personally, I remember Dr. King with his own words; "Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter." His words are not a lesson in history class. They are a call, a challenge to all of us, we must become the new drum majors for justice. Let us work together so that all people will be judged on the content of their character. We must lead our nation to the mountain top. Amen.

Testimonials

The Dallas Jewish Community Foundation continues to be very helpful in working together to meet the various philanthropic goals and desires that many of my clients have. Meyer Bodoff and his staff are very professional and continue to adapt…

Scott R. Cohen - CD Wealth Management, CFP®, CFS®, CAP®

I have the privilege to serve as Chair of Create A Jewish Legacy, the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation's endowment and bequest initiative. That gives me the chance to collaborate with community partners and their donors to ask their const…

Our family philanthropic fund with the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation, which we established approximately 5 years ago, has provided us with the ability to plan and organize our charitable giving. First, it has allowed us to contribute t…

Dr. Harlan and Hannah Kay Pollock

The Dallas Jewish Community Foundation, particularly under the leadership of Meyer Bodoff, continues to stand out among community organizations. Most nonprofits, focus on the "how" or "way" donors can give. In my experience with Meyer and…

We have enjoyed a terrific long-standing relationship with the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation. Professionals and families need a trusted partner, not just one with the knowledge and skills to get the job done, but one with a "heart". …

Lenny Krasnow - M.B. & Edna Zale Foundation

My experiences with the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation as a practicing CPA as well as a lay volunteer have been very fulfilling.
In my professional dealings with the Foundation staff, they exhibit a high degree of professionalism and r…

Sandy Kaufman - Stanford Kaufman & Associates

My experiences with The Dallas Jewish Community Foundation have only been positive. Meyer Bodoff and his staff may be the most compassionate and capable group of people assembled in the field of philanthropy in Dallas, TX. They never fail…

M. Alan Alspaugh, CLU, CAP® - Eagle Strategies, LLC

Our relationship with Dallas Jewish Community Foundation goes all the way back to its formation as a separate entity in 1999. We are very proud of this relationship and continue to enjoy watching the Foundation grow in size and stature as …

David Rosenberg - Thompson & Knight LLP

As an attorney (and CPA) who often represents families involved with complex tax and estate matters relating to wealth preservation and transfer strategies, it is reassuring to know that the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation is available a…